How do you lead authentically and succeed in a rapidly changing, male-dominated sector without losing sight of your wellbeing or identity? Host Jo Cowlin is joined by Chief Data Officer Kinnari Ladha for a refreshingly honest, encouraging conversation about leadership, diversity, and the evolving world of data.They discuss the value of curiosity, letting go of perfectionism, how to navigate setbacks as fuel for growth, and the importance of making yourself visible as a female leader in tech. You’ll also hear practical advice for ambitious women and insights into how AI is reshaping the future of work.Here are the Highlights: 00:00 Intro: Kinnari’s journey to Chief Data Officer 04:23 Career paths are often unstructured06:53 Transitioning to senior leadership is challenging11:13 Leadership and parenting requires reflection, and avoiding comparison17:51 Building confidence in public speaking21:34 Life can't always be planned; sometimes you have to take risks 25:32 Take action now; don't overthink or wait for confidence. 28:15 Overcoming "good girl" conditioning and making bold decisions 32:28 Getting a leadership coach helped Kinnari address feedback36:08 Effective feedback requires receiving and responding well41:08 AI is reshaping roles, leadership is evolving, and data work is crucial.Meet your host Jo CowlinJo Cowlin keeps it real.Some people might like to call her ‘a motivational people development expert’ but Jo would rather you didn’t.Jo is a no-nonsense, straight-talking northernerShe is also a transformational coach, facilitator and game changer. She has a passion for results and is dedicated to helping leaders realise their aspirations without compromising their wellbeing.She dares individuals to be different by eliminating corporate BS, life coaching, and hand-holding, and instead encourages breaking through barriers to gain clarity and step into personal power for a life without limits.Resilience and a proactive approach to mental wellbeing is at the core of all of her work which is predominantly aimed at helping leaders and their teams refocus, regroup and rapidly adjust to change. With a background in pharmaceutical leadership and expertise across various sectors, she offers coaching and leadership programs tailored to individual and organisational needs.Find out more about Jo here: https://jocowlin.com/Find out more about Jo here: https://jocowlin.com/Connect with Jo:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocowlin/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-cowlin/About Kinnari Ladhi:Kinnari Ladhi has spent over 20 years building a career in data and analytics and is currently Chief Data Officer at Travelodge. She is a senior executive leader who operates at board level, but her journey hasn’t been linear or without self-doubt - something she speaks openly about.Kinnari has been recognised with multiple industry awards, including being named one of the most influential leaders in the DataIQ 100 for six consecutive years and as one of the Top 20 Women in Data and Tech in 2023. Despite this, she is passionate about reminding others that confidence isn’t about having all the answers - it’s about being willing to step forward and learn.She is a highly sought-after industry speaker and advocate for the data profession, using her platform to challenge perfectionism, encourage courage over comfort, and show what’s possible with data and analytics. Kinnari is also a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion, and is deeply committed to mentoring and developing women in technology, data and analytics, helping the next generation build belief, capability and lasting careers in STEM.Produced by winteraudio.co.ukIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share!